One of the EU Ecological Quality Objectives concerns the levels of marine litter as measured by the amount of plastic in stomachs of Fulmars. A pilot study with this puropose has been carried out by the Dutch partner Jan van Franeker.
Measure amount of plastic In March 2002, the Ministers of the North Sea countries decided to start a system of so-called Ecological Quality Objectives for the North Sea (EcoQO's).  One of the EcoQO's concerns levels of marine litter as measured by the amount of plastics in the stomachs of Fulmars. Pilot study in all North Sea countries A pilot study in all North Sea countries will advise on an efficient set-up for monitoring this Fulmar-Litter-EcoQO. The EcoQO will include target levels considered to represent an ecologically clean and healthy North Sea.  The pilot study for the Fulmar-Litter-EcoQO is being conducted as a part of the Save the North Sea project.		Dr Jan van Franeker (second row, middle) together with his Fulmar volunteers from UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Belgium.